Ethical and empowering leadership and leader effectiveness

TLDR

The study investigates the independent and joint effects of ethical and empowering leadership on leader‑member exchange, subordinate affective commitment, and perceived leader effectiveness, with LMX as a mediator. The authors surveyed 259 subordinates of public and private sector managers and used structural equation modeling to analyze relationships among variables. Ethical and empowering leadership positively predict leader‑member exchange, subordinate affective commitment, and perceived leader effectiveness.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how ethical leadership and empowering leadership are related to leader‐member exchange relations (LMX), affective commitment, and leader effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using questionnaires filled out by 259 subordinates of public and private sector managers. Relationships among variables were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicated that ethical leadership and empowering leadership have positive associations with LMX, subordinate affective commitment, and perception of leader effectiveness. Originality/value This study is the first to examine the independent and joint relationships of empowering leadership and ethical leadership with leadership effectiveness and the mediating role of LMX.